# kao peh kao bu

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/kao-peh-kao-bu
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To make a fuss, to complain or whine excessively, to complain to high heaven.

## Examples

- Stop your kao peh kao bu and just finish the work.
- You always kao peh kao bu when we eat at this restaurant.
- Please do not kao peh kao bu about the small price increase.
- He started to kao peh kao bu the moment the boss asked him to stay late on a Friday.
- My neighbor likes to kao peh kao bu about the noise whenever I play music during the day.
- The players began to kao peh kao bu after the referee made a decision they did not like.
- The tourists started to kao peh kao bu when they realized the hotel pool was closed for repairs during their entire vacation.
- Despite the minor nature of the inconvenience, he continued to kao peh kao bu, exhausting the patience of everyone in the room.

## Origin

From the Hokkien phrase 哭爸哭母 (khàu-pē-khàu-bú), which translates literally as "to weep for one's father and mother" or "to quarrel with one's parents." The term functions as a figurative description of one who complains to high heaven, equating the act of excessive grumbling with the vocal lamentations performed at a parental funeral.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.